Nets

Zion Williamson looked like a player back on the road to being his All-Star self, Ben Simmons did not, and the Pelicans blew past the Nets on opening night.

Rookie [Jalen Duren](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/66332/jalen-duren) might be a steal, he had 14 off the bench. But the Pelicans challenged the Nets and ran right over them — the toughness and grit needed to win in the NBA was not on display. Bojan Bogdanovic had 24 points as the veteran, and A win that helps exorcize the demons of last season. With Luka Doncic running the show, the Mavericks were up by 22 and seemingly in total control of the game. The Pelicans grabbed the offensive rebound on 45.3% of their missed shots — 21 offensive boards — on their way to 36 second-chance points (the Nets had four). Jonas Valanciunas had 13 rebounds to go with his 15 points, and he was a big part of the Pelicans dominating in the paint. Two huge shots from Damion Lee capped off a dramatic and cathartic comeback. Kevin Durant looked great, scoring 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting, and he even had four blocks. On offense he looked like an awkward fit trying to figure out how to playoff off Kevin Durant and The scary thing for the rest of the league? The talent on the roster is unquestionable, but does this team have the grit, the toughness, the determination to push through when things get hard?

In his first game since 2021, Ben Simmons tallied just four points and five assists as the Nets lost by 22 to the Pelicans.

They’re looking for their first win in [pic.twitter.com/XZJuHL8Fw2] [October 20, 2022] [pic.twitter.com/NKfgRCJ64c] [October 20, 2022] [pic.twitter.com/IHp0iQn7LU] [October 20, 2022] To be fair, last night was Simmons’ first real game since June 20, 2021. In the first game that counted in his new uniform, the former first overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers recorded just two points, five rebounds, five assists, three turnovers, and six personal fouls in 23 minutes of the Nets’ 130-108 loss at home to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans opened the 2022-2023 season with a dominant win over the Brooklyn Nets. They went into Barclays Center and soundly defeated the ...

Brooklyn Nets](https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans/news/pelicans-opening-night-roster-released) The Nets would not threaten again as the Pelicans cruised to a 22-point victory. [Brandon Ingram](https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans) led the way with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while [Zion](https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans) Williamson poured in 25 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. [Pelicans](https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans) opened the 2022-2023 season with a dominant win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Pelicans gave their fans something to cheer for after blazing to a 32-14 first-quarter lead. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs 129-102 in their opener.

NEW YORK — You'd expect a team featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons — three players who've made All-NBA teams over the past two seasons — to ...

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Few debuts have been more anticipated than the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving-Ben Simmons triumvirate. How opening night at Barclays went wrong.

[Pelicans](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/team/pelicans/), led by [Zion Williamson](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/player/zion-williamson-l6xjgWmi8X4OMdjm/) and his 25 points, won 130-108 by taking advantage of 16 Nets turnovers for 26 points. The Pelicans also destroyed the Nets on the boards, 61-39, and in second-chance points, 36-4. “Fouling out is not an option,” Irving told Simmons.

Ben Simmons made his regular season debut for the Brooklyn Nets, scoring four points on 2-3 shooting from the floor and fouling out in 23 minutes.

[NETS’ KYRIE IRVING TELLS BIDEN TO GET BRITTNEY GRINER HOME: ‘POTUS, DO YOUR JOB’](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nets-kyrie-irving-tells-biden-get-brittney-griner-home-potus-do-your-job) [New Orleans coach](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nba/new-orleans-pelicans) Willie Green said. [member of the Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nba/philadelphia-76ers). "Having back surgery and being away from the game for a year there are little things that your mind might tell you to do something, but your body’s not wanting to do that." [CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM](https://www.foxnews.com/sports) [2022-2023 NBA season](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nba) Tuesday night, getting blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans 130-108.

The Brooklyn Nets concluded their regular season opener bruised, battered, and with a realization that this year won't be a cakewalk to an NBA championship.

It’s a process for our group, but at the same time there’s competitive standards and there’s an opportunity for us to grow every night here, but we gotta compete every night here at a high level.” Obviously, it was a little clunky at times, but my message to the guys was just raising our standards, and the competition. "I think clearly we started the game a little hectic, A little bit rattled to start, and sometimes that’s normal. It didn't take long at all for New Orleans to spot that weakness and it was visibly apparent the team game planned for it. That’s a part of just being competitive and being aware and understanding where our weaknesses are and trying to combat them from the start.” "We’re not gonna lead the team in rebounds, but there’s still a level of understanding that that’s a weakness for us.

New Orleans Pelicans' Brandon Ingram (14) drives past Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving (11) and Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game ...

The same plays that demoralize the fans at home demoralize us as players on the court when they consistently get second-chance points and offensive rebounds and they’re doing the little things that really decide a game at times.” That’s a part of just being competitive and being aware and understanding where are weaknesses are and trying to combat them from the start.” Beyond the arc, the Nets knocked down just 10 of their 33 attempts on Wednesday. They were outrebounded 61-39, which included being outworked on the offensive glass by a 21-9 margin, and were outscored 36-4 in second-chance points. It’s not time to put our heads down or anything, but we have to show a strong resolve and show strong faces. Were they first make mistakes or a sign of more glaring issues for the Nets?

This will be the first time since the 2021 NBA Playoffs that Ben Simmons has played in a game (not counting the preseason). He joins Kyrie Irving and Kevin ...

The Celtics went on to make the NBA Finals, but the Nets not winning a playoff game was a massive surprise. This will be the first time since the 2021 NBA Playoffs that Ben Simmons has played in a game (not counting the preseason). On Wednesday evening, the Brooklyn Nets are hosting the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Center in New York to tip off their new season.

3. Kyrie Irving joins the 50/40/90 club for the second time. Through Irving's controversial vaccine stance and holdout last season, many forget he became the ...

Warren](https://clutchpoints.com/the-under-the-radar-signing-that-could-put-nets-over-the-top-in-2022-23/). Several players have hinted that Durant’s trade request [forced much-needed conversations](https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-kyrie-irving-reveals-why-kevin-durant-trade-demand-was-actually-a-good-thing/) this summer. [top-five player](https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-brooklyn-biggest-mystery-kevin-durant-earns-impressive-honor-nba-gm-survey/) when healthy. Despite a tumultuous offseason, the [vibes were different](https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-brooklyn-vibes-have-been-straight-but-kevin-durant-sends-challenge-to-teammates-for-2022-23-season/) in Brooklyn during training camp. [longer and more athletic](https://clutchpoints.com/the-key-nets-offseason-moves-that-address-top-weakness-from-celtics-sweep/) team this season. [best basketball situation](https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-its-philly-on-steroids-ben-simmons-confident-heading-into-first-season-brooklyn/) of his career in Brooklyn alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. [The sharpshooters](https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-kevin-durant-brooklyn-will-be-without-2-key-role-players-to-start-season/) are both recovering from ankle surgery and represent crucial pieces of Brooklyn’s offense. [Igor Kokoskov’s](https://clutchpoints.com/steve-nash-gets-brutally-honest-on-nets-major-offensive-shift-after-key-coaching-change/) offensive influence, should lead to an increase in high-quality looks. As for rebounds, the Aussie should find himself near the rim more than he was in Philadelphia alongside Durant and Irving. Simmons averaged 2.7 assists in transition per game during his last season, the second-most in the league. Simmons should average over 10 points on putbacks, rolls to the rim and transition opportunities alone. The 26-year-old’s physicality should increase as he re-acclimates to the game following offseason back surgery.

When Kyrie Irving came into the league, the Nets were in the transition from being a team based in New Jersey to one that called Brooklyn home. But the NBA.

It’s no secret what a milestone that would be for the Nets, who have begun to make inroads into the New York sports market more significantly over the past few years. And to say that I was drafted at a time that transition was happening and I was part of it. I’m looking forward to the journey and it’s a tall task at hand.”

The Brooklyn Nets season debut for Ben Simmons is finally here and he can't wait to be on the hardwood for it.

For the next 30 minutes, I'm going to go home and take a nap." "I take the opportunity when it comes to guarding the best players in the world. "For me, I'm looking forward to playing this game. "Slowly getting back to who I am and who I'm supposed to be. I think everybody has it in them and wants to do their job defensively." I think I definitely want to come out here and set the tone. Over time, I'm going to get there." Looking ahead to the season opener against the Pelicans, Simmons is embracing the challenge of guarding the best offensive player on the opposing team. We got a great group of guys here ready to roll." "Looking forward to getting out there and playing in the official start of the season. This is what I do so I love to do it and can't imagine doing anything else. I can't wait to get out there.

Wednesday night's game between the Pelicans and Nets marks the return of two of the most exciting young players in the NBA. New Orleans forward Zion ...

4:30 p.m. - Time: 7:30 p.m. Nets will tip off around 7:30 p.m. The game will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Pelicans are controlling the pace and style of play. They destroyed the Nets on the glass, grabbing seven offensive rebounds. — Nets coach Steve Nash is hoping that his bench can provide some energy. The Nets are providing no resistance at all defensively. — The Pelicans have pushed their lead to 25 points. — The Nets don't seem to have any answers for the Pelicans' level of physicality in the paint. — The starters are coming off the floor. The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates from Pelicans vs.

It's been a long time since the Nets played a regulation NBA game. It was late April when the Celtics swept them in the first round of the playoffs.

And for once, he’s not carrying the weight of the world](https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_5b93e300-4e1d-11ed-bd88-77072a9688b6.html). The game is also a chance for the Pelicans to get a look at their young “Big Three” of Williamson, Brandon Ingram and C.J. It is not an exaggeration to say he has felt the wrath of a major American city and yet seems as healthy and happy as he has been in a while. [Sixers](https://www.libertyballers.com) played the Pelicans but with added strength, it will be interesting to see if Steve Nash uses Simmons as he did vs. For the Nets, the game will have some deeper meaning than a normal opener for all the obvious and some not so obvious reasons. Now, writes Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, he has a new seriousness: It will be their first game together just as it will be for KD, Kyrie and Ben10. For the Pelicans, it’s big game for the most obvious reason: Zion Williamson is back after missing all of last season. For the Pelicans, Kira Lewis (knee), and E.J. So far, it has the look of success, based of course on only two preseason games. The Pels hope that Zion Williamson will be that after missing a year off. For the Nets, Joe Harris (foot soreness), Seth Curry (ankle surgery recovery) and T.J.

Yes, Ben Simmons has donned a Brooklyn Nets jersey four times during the preseason, but Wednesday's season opener at Barclays Center marked the first time ...

Simmons has been known as a strong facilitator offensively and a significant asset on the defensive side of things. “I think whatever makes sense,” he said. That also showed a bit having grabbed six or more defensive rebounds twice during the preseason and he had 10 assists in an exhibition contest against Milwaukee. Simmons had been healthy since having offseason back surgery and appeared in all four of Brooklyn’s preseason games. A lot has changed around the league since then and naturally, the nerves were there. Yes, Ben Simmons has donned a Brooklyn Nets jersey four times during the preseason, but Wednesday’s season opener at Barclays Center marked the first time it really counts.

For the first time in 533 days, Zion Williamson will appear in a regular season NBA game when the New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets do battle in New ...

[New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.thebirdwrites.com/) (0-0) at [Brooklyn Nets](https://www.netsdaily.com/) (0-0) “Well, I think we’ve all seen enough of Zion to know the talent and strengths, obviously, that he brings to the floor every night,” Steve Nash said in pregame. [Pelicans](https://www.thebirdwrites.com/?_ga=2.129436431.2062660796.1613539844-1404429409.1563986214) talk, subscribe to The Bird Calls podcast feed on [iTunes](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bird-calls/id1254580823), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1hcE37VQq6gvXI5N0wQQNm), [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/preston-ellis/the-bird-writes-nba-podcast-for-new-orleans-pelicans) or [@OlehKosel](https://twitter.com/OlehKosel). [our preview](https://www.thebirdwrites.com/2022/10/19/23411621/new-orleans-pelicans-brooklyn-nets-nba-preview-durant-ingram-williamson-tv-channel-time) a read. [New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.thebirdwrites.com) and [Brooklyn Nets](https://www.netsdaily.com) do battle in New York City tonight.

“That group” meant the trio of Durant, Irving and James Harden, who was traded midseason to the 76ers. Irving and Durant, though, have only played 44 games ...

“That group” meant the trio of Durant, Irving and James Harden, who was traded midseason to the 76ers. Not initially, but now where we are now, I feel like we can honestly say we got better, with the principles that are needed for success. But for the Nets after Kevin Durant’s request, Kyrie Irving told

B This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports...

NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Irving setting up a team bonding event after a rocky offseason for the Nets organization. [Rumors indicated](https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-lakers-nets-discussing-kyrie-irving-russell-westbrook-trade-233348495.html) he was pushing for a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in hopes of a reunion with former teammate LeBron James, but that obviously didn't come to fruition. [shared](https://twitter.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1570497534539501570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1570497534539501570%7Ctwgr%5Ecdbd0ff6736da80f684c9ab93ee66c16399ff37f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netsdaily.com%2F2022%2F9%2F15%2F23355536%2Fkyrie-irving-reposts-alex-jones-conspiracy-theory-on-new-world-order) a video containing conspiracy theories from right-wing personality Alex Jones. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that Irving "set up a team dinner for the entire Nets roster" on Oct. "But now, it finally looks somewhat stable going into the season, and the Nets should be primed for a good season." 8, Kyrie Irving set up a team dinner for the entire Nets roster."

Ben Simmons is back, Zion Williamson is ready to be unleashed and first-round draft pick Dyson Daniels is ready to make his NBA debut.

He has earned some minutes during the preseason.” “He is competing, he’s mature for 19. He works extremely hard. “That’s the message,” Nash said on encouraging Simmons to be aggressive with the ball. “The goal and the vision is for him to be the engine of this team [on] both sides of the ball,” Nash said. If Simmons is good to go though, Nash said the Nets have a clear idea on what sort of role the two-time All-Star will play in Brooklyn.

New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson (1) drives past Brooklyn Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe and Patty Mills (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in New York. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II. AddThis Sharing Buttons.

The night also featured a halftime performance by rapper Fivio Foreign, who became the first person to wear the Nets’ 10-year-anniversary diamond chain necklace. Zion Williamson started the second half off with a cutting layup to put NOLA back up by double digits. Worse, the Nets were out-rebounded by a 61 to 30 margin and turned over the ball 16 times for 26 points. The Nets struggled across the board on Wednesday as the new Big 3 got acclimated with one another. He finished the game with 13 points, five assists and two steals. The Nets fell behind quickly after the opening tip-off and spent the entire night playing catchup to the Pelicans.

Visit ESPN for the game recap of the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets NBA basketball game on October 19, 2022.

[Joe Harris](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2528794/joe-harris) (sore left foot) and [Seth Curry](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2326307/seth-curry) (left ankle) not ready for the start of the season. [Jonas Valanciunas](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6477/jonas-valanciunas) had 15 points and 13 rebounds and New Orleans outrebounded Brooklyn 61-39. [Patty Mills](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4004/patty-mills) had 16 points and Irving managed 15 on 6-for-19 shooting, going 0 for 6 from 3-point range. ... Irving addressed the crowd before the start of the game and made a plea for the return of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison. Pelicans: Green said he could tell during the Pelicans' playoff run last season that Williamson had moved beyond the disappointment of injury rehab to excitement for playing again. “It’s very difficult going through injuries, especially when you’re really young and you’ve been working your tail off to try and be prepared to come in and help your team and you suffer a setback,” Green said. “So he had to navigate through all of those things. His basket-shaking dunk with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining brought some of the few cheers from a dejected crowd who watched the home team never lead and trail by as many as 26. A first-round exit — when Simmons never played because of back problems after being acquired for He fouled out early in the fourth quarter with four points, five rebounds and five assists, taking three shots. “It takes time," Simmons said. The No.

Zion Williamson put on a dominant performance in his long-awaited return Wednesday night, leading the Pelicans to a 130-108 win over the Brooklyn Nets at ...

[signed a five-year max contract extension](https://theathletic.com/3395585/2022/07/01/zion-williamson-pelicans-contract-future/) worth up to $231 million in July. The 22-year-old Williamson, the No.

Things did not go as planned. The Brooklyn Nets got walloped in the season opener, 130-108, by the New Orleans Pelicans despite Kevin Durant's 32 points on ...

We’re here to support him, we’re here to push him, coach him up, and try to get him to a place where he can play at the level he’s played in the past. “I mean, I think that you see those glimpses throughout the preseason, but now putting it together, really getting his legs under him, his rhythm, and then assimilating to a new group—there’s a lot on his plate. He faked the pass to Kevin Durant, drove to the cup when the defense shifted over toward the Nets’ star, and then had himself another awesome finish through contact to complete the play. Brooklyn got things back on track in the second quarter, beginning with an excellent pass from Ben Simmons to Nic Claxton in the short roll and a corner three from Markieff Morris. Fortunately, the Nets finished the quarter strong when Nic Claxton—the only antidote to the unstoppable force that was Zion Williamson—used his impressive 7’2” wingspan to pin Zion’s layup to the glass, leading to a Kevin Durant three on the other end. A 22-point blowout loss and a 0-1 start to the season with a tough opponent, the Toronto Raptors, headed to Brooklyn on Friday. That’s a part of just being competitive, being aware, and understanding what our weaknesses are and trying to combat them from the start.” Then, three straight steals by Royce O’Neale shrunk that deficit to just 12, and the Pellies were forced to call timeout. In typical Nets fashion, the onslaught began with a slow start, as the Nets missed their first three shots. I think there’s a lot of jitters out there early on, but it was good to get out of the way.” Rebounding was Brooklyn’s Achilles heel on Wednesday, with the Pelicans out-boarding the Nets 61-39. “I talked about the other day, just us being tested and us being challenged,” said Kyrie Irving after the loss.

The Brooklyn Nets opened the 2022-23 season with a disastrous 130-108 home loss to Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

Kevin Durant (25 PTS) is the only Nets player to score in double figures. The Pels jumped out to a 32-14 lead after one quarter. His three gives him 21, but puts the Pelicans up 25 points with an 87-62 lead at the 4:09 mark of the 3rd quarter.

On Wednesday evening, Ben Simmons played in his first game (not counting preseason) since the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The former first overall pick struggled in ...

If he can return to being that player, the Nets could be one of the best teams in the NBA. "I think I was just too excited, honestly," Simmons said to reporters after the game. Here's What Ben Simmons Said After The Nets Lost To The Pelicans

Kevin Durant said he wanted to “beat the snot out of” the New Orleans Pelicans in the season opener. It was the Pelicans who did the beating and the Nets ...

But it was Pelicans fans who cheered as their team left the floor at the end of the game. He even shifted Durant once with a crossover before pulling up for the and-one on a mid-range jump shot. It was a failure, as were the minutes head coach Steve Nash attempted to go small with Simmons at center and Claxton on the bench. The manner in which the Nets lost has to have caught the eye of general manager Sean Marks. The Nets walked out of Barclays Center battered, bruised and with their tails between their legs after taking a thumping on opening night. While the Pelicans started Jonas Valanciunas and

Ben Simmons made his long-awaited Nets debut, joining Durant and Kyrie Irving in a new Big 3. On Wednesday, however, they looked like a Big 1: Durant was the ...

Simmons picked up fouls four and five, and an Ingram three-point left the Nets down 82-59. The burly Pelicans star, who returned from a broken foot in his first game since May 2021, roughed the Nets up for 25 points and nine rebounds. He finished with 15 points on 6-for-19 shooting, but had just four points on 2-for-9 from the floor in the first half. Simmons, who was acquired from the 76ers for James Harden in February, wasn’t aggressive enough on the offensive end, and took the aggression overboard on defense. Ben Simmons made his long-awaited Nets debut, joining Durant and Kyrie Irving in a new Big 3. There were only two good things about the Nets’ 130-108 loss: Kevin Durant had a big night and everybody came through it uninjured.

Visit ESPN for the game recap of the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets NBA basketball game on October 19, 2022.

[Joe Harris](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2528794/joe-harris) (sore left foot) and [Seth Curry](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2326307/seth-curry) (left ankle) not ready for the start of the season. [Jonas Valanciunas](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6477/jonas-valanciunas) had 15 points and 13 rebounds and New Orleans outrebounded Brooklyn 61-39. [Patty Mills](http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4004/patty-mills) had 16 points and Irving managed 15 on 6-for-19 shooting, going 0 for 6 from 3-point range. ... Irving addressed the crowd before the start of the game and made a plea for the return of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison. Pelicans: Green said he could tell during the Pelicans' playoff run last season that Williamson had moved beyond the disappointment of injury rehab to excitement for playing again. “It’s very difficult going through injuries, especially when you’re really young and you’ve been working your tail off to try and be prepared to come in and help your team and you suffer a setback,” Green said. “So he had to navigate through all of those things. His basket-shaking dunk with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining brought some of the few cheers from a dejected crowd who watched the home team never lead and trail by as many as 26. A first-round exit — when Simmons never played because of back problems after being acquired for He fouled out early in the fourth quarter with four points, five rebounds and five assists, taking three shots. “It takes time," Simmons said. The No.

Ben Simmons was excited to play in his first NBA game after over a year, but that excitement came with a price.

"I think you see those glimpses throughout the preseason, but now putting it together, really getting his legs under him, his rhythm and assimilating to a new group. We’re here to push him, coach him up and try to get him to a place where he can play at the level he’s played at in the past. Nash attributes the foul trouble in back-to-back games to his new star being "rusty." You know, we told him in the locker room: he is a valuable piece for us and we need him out there, and fouling out is not an option," Irving said. "You know, playing aggressive is something that we want him to do, but we also want to play smart, and we can hold each other accountable like that in that locker room, which I'm glad for. There were a few times where we lost games just last year and I could just feel our spirit just down, and when we lose games, obviously, there are things that we wanna correct, but we don't want to lose this way, which is beating ourselves up and not doing the things that you know that the game deserves." Beyond his glimmering excitement, did the speed and lack of being accustomed to a regular season game also play a factor to getting into foul trouble? It's the first game and you obviously want to win but we know the reasons we lost. In the season opener, he was limited to 23 minutes and ended his night with a quiet four points, five boards, five assists, and four turnovers. There are multiple reasons we lost and those are the things we need to fix. "It's also just reading who I'm guarding, where to be; it's a faster game. "I gotta tone it down," said Simmons after the Nets' 130-108 loss to the Pelicans at Barclays Center Wednesday night.

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans opened their NBA season with a punishing 130-108 victory over the star-studded Nets in Brooklyn on Wednesday.

In Memphis the Grizzlies thwarted the New York Knicks' comeback bid for a 115-112 overtime victory. we're a resilient team and it showed." "It's crazy," said Williamson, the 2019 top draft pick who at 22 has already battled a raft of injuries. 1 draft pick Paolo Banchero. I'm just excited to go." "I'm still learning my teammates...

Not only did all three of New Orleans' stars shine brightly, so too did other Pels who stepped out onto the floor.

As a team, the Pelicans grabbed 12 more offensive rebounds in leading to a lopsided 61-39 overall advantage on the glass. Irving was off, hitting only six of 19 shot attempts, and the Net’s defense was just porous throughout. We can all still vividly remember his performances in the play-in games and playoffs from last spring, but he legitimately looked to be an improved player over that version of himself. You know, points in the paint, getting to the free throw line, we shot the ball well, and we took care of the basketball. He also added nine rebounds and dropped a couple of dimes. He really controlled the game well, and it appeared playing most of his minutes alongside Williamson greatly aided the generational talent to enjoy a fantastic debut after his long layoff. “I told our guys in the locker room that’s what our team is about. In 24 minutes, the second-year man hit four of six 3s to finish with 16 points. [New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.thebirdwrites.com) arrived in Brooklyn in hopes of finding a way to claw out a victory against, at worst, a near championship contender. Glancing at his box score, like tonight’s six-point, four-rebound, three-assist line, will never reveal the whole story, but just ask Durant about consistently being hounded by Jones. It’s fun to watch.” “Wire-to-wire, I thought it was a pretty dominant performance.